Kwok Pong "Bobby" Tso
bio
Kwok-Pong was born and raised in Hong Kong and decided to come to the USA to continue his education while beginning to explore the cultures differences. He holds his BFA from Northwest Missouri State University and M.A and MFA from the University of Iowa. His work has been exhibited and published both internationally and nationally, he was named as Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist in 2014, and NCECA Emerging Artist in 2016 and spent the summer of 2014-2015 as resident at the Archie Bray Foundation. In addition to his studio practice, he is currently an Assistant Chair and Associate Professor of Art at Washburn University Topeka, KS.
Artist Statement
“In-between”
The power of time can affect a person regardless of where they are from and what culture they are born with. My current work draws ideas from the displacement of being born into Chinese tradition while growing up surrounded by the western culture of British controlled Hong Kong and spending half of my adult life as an immigrant in the United States. While embracing the dichotomy of culture, the forever evolving sense of uncertainty often calls for the constant negotiation of who I am and where I belong, continually learning the power of self-permission to allow my identity to exist.
The Bray had always been a unique place for me, it provided an important and uninterrupted time for my practice and career, allowing me to grow as an artist and provided a space to share my experience to many talented artists, community and patrons alike.